#HealthBytes: How to be safe during oral sex

Lifestyle

There are just too many unreasonable misconceptions surrounding this form of sexual activity.

Busting the bubble, oral sex is completely natural and comes with its own set of pleasures. Also, it is quite common among sexually active adults.

Here's what oral sex means, and how you can be safe while performing it.

Information

Firstly, what is oral sex? Is it safe?

Sexual stimulation between partners performed using the mouth, tongue and lips is what we call oral sex. Just like other forms of sexual activity, unprotected oral sex can also lead to transmission of infections/diseases (STI/STDs), even though it's not very common.

Risk

Which STIs/STDs can pass from oral sex?

Many dreadful STI/STDs like gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, HPV and HIV may pass from an infected person to their partner through sexual discharge in the mouth, throat, genitals and the rectum.

The overall risk depends on the type of infection and the sexual acts performed.

That is why, it is advisable to use protection each time one engages in sexual activity of any kind.

Pregnancy

Is it possible to get pregnant from oral sex?

For pregnancy, it is essential for the sperm in the semen to get in contact with the female egg. There is no other way to get pregnant.

Although during oral sex, the semen does get in contact with the body or the inside of the mouth, but cannot reach the egg.

Thus, pregnancy from oral sex is ruled out.

Safety

Here's how to practise safe oral sex

While practising oral sex on the penis, always use a non-lubricated latex/polyurethane-based condom.

Whereas, while performing oral sex involving the vagina or the anus, use a dental dam.

In case a dental dam isn't available, cut open a condom to create a square and apply to mouth to create a makeshift barrier.

General tips

Here are some other general tips to prevent STIs

Limit your number of sexual partners.

Openly communicate with your partners about your and their sexual health histories.

Go for regular STI check-ups to make sure both you and your partner test negative for any of the infections.

Avoid engaging in sexual activity, when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.